PBSC students place first in state cybersecurity competition

Palm Beach State College’s Ethical Hackers Club Cyber Force team won first place at the Florida Department of Education’s Third Annual Cybersecurity Competition in Tallahassee on Nov. 6.

Students from Florida’s “Great 28” public colleges participated in the competition where they put their cybersecurity skills to the test in a virtual cyber range, simulating real-world challenges faced by industry professionals.

"The success of our Cyber Force team reflects the excellence of our academic programs and the dedication of our faculty in preparing students to meet the growing demand for cyber security professionals to protect our nation’s digital infrastructure," said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, JD.

The winning teams were selected based on their ability to efficiently manage, operate and defend the network infrastructures of multiple simulated organizations. All student participants received a cyber range certification provided by Global Business Solutions, Inc.

“Witnessing these students tackle complex cybersecurity challenges has been truly impressive,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Their ingenuity, perseverance and critical thinking skills demonstrate that Florida is cultivating a strong cybersecurity pipeline. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, the future of cybersecurity in our great state is incredibly bright.”

PBSC’s cybersecurity programs are designed to meet the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals in Florida. The 2+2 cybersecurity pathway allows students to start with a two-year associate degree and build the foundation to enter PBSC’s two-year Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Information Management with a concentration in Security and Network Assurance. The College also offers several cybersecurity certificates that can be completed in a year or less.